This list is from http://www.pps.org/ - a NYC based non profit "dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities" (according to their site). Does anyone live in these places? I lived on the Plateau in Montreal for a few years and I loved it.
I used to live right off of Rittenhouse Square in Philly. It was a fun place to live. Rittenhouse Square itself is a really pretty park the size of one city block surrounded by high rises, restaurants and shops. It was great living there. I miss it.
I wish I lived in those places, but I've got a few friends and acquaintences that live in Venice (#19) and they all can not stop talking about how great it is (neaches, boardwalk, some cute stores...you never really have to leave to be sufficiently amused)...if Venice wasn't so far away from where I work/go to school I would entertain the idea of living there.
I agree with esquiress though, I personally prefer Santa Monica as well.
i agree w/ BC, venice is kinda crusty! i live in santa monica, & lemme tell you it is waaaaay better than venice! i've known many people that have lived in venice & it's nothing to get all riled up over. even if u live right on the beach, u have to deal w/ the seedy/touristy boarwalk people. it's really dirty too. i know santa monica has it's problems, but if venice is #19, samo should be #-2!!
I lived in #16 (Federal Hill, Providence, RI) for a summer. It was a really cute neighborhood -- little storefronts, markets, etc.-- but not the kind I'd walk around in at night by myself. Plus it's right by the freeway. Nice, but I am not sure I'd put it in the top 20. They do have the best pizza place in the world there, though.
There's also a lot of cool Italian heritage there. There are also a lot of extremely expensive cars parked at extremely cheap restaurants. (Things that make you go )
__________________
"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
i (very briefly) lived in the east village -- i love the east village -- it rocks. whenever i go to the city, we somehow end up back there in our favorite places.